Dr. Massimo Conforti is a geologist with a Ph.D. in Earth Sciences and currently works as a Senior Researcher at the Research Institute for Geo-hydrological Protection (CNR-IRPI), Italian National Research Council. His research focuses on the analysis and mapping of landslides in different climatic, geological, and morphological settings, using both traditional and innovative techniques. He investigates space–time variations of denudation processes, landslide susceptibility, and soil characteristics, as well as soil erosion rates, erosion risk, and gully erosion susceptibility. His work also includes mapping soil carbon stocks and developing geo-environmental databases within GIS environments. His involved in several national and international research projects, in which I hold scientific responsibilities and maintain active collaborations. To date, I have published more than 60 scientific papers in international peer‑reviewed journals.

WORK EXPERIENCE

– From 01/01/2023 – today: Level II Researcher at the (CNR-IRPI), Via Cavour 4-6 87036 Rende (Cosenza)

– From 01/07/2020 – to 31/12/2022: Level III Researcher at the (CNR-IRPI), Via Cavour 4-6 87036 Rende (Cosenza)

– From 01/07/2019 to 30/06/2020: Term Contract worker at the CNR-IRPI, Via Cavour 4-6 87036 Rende (Cosenza), within of the Research Project DTA.AD003.077 “Tipizzazione di eventi di dissesto idrogeologico”

Main activities:  Mapping of landslides, storage and management of geo-environmental data in a GIS environment, implementation of geo-database, landslide susceptibility analysis.

– From 19/11/2018 to 19/06/2020: Term Contract worker at the CNR, Institute for Agricultural and Forest Systems in the Mediterranean (CNR-ISAFOM), Via Cavour 4/6, 87036 Rende (Cosenza), Italy, within of the Research Project PON03_00024_1 – ALFor Lab “Laboratorio Pubblico-Privato per le Tecnologie Innovative ad Elevata Sostenibilità Ambientale nella Filiera Foresta-Legno-Energie-Ambi. Tec. Fil. Legno”

Main activities: Geomorphological analysis, soil analysis, soil spectroscopy analysis, digital soil mapping, analysis of soil carbon stock; storage and management of geo-environmental data in a GIS environment.

– From 28/12/2017 to 28/04/2018: Term Contract worker at the CNR-ISAFOM, Via Cavour 4/6, 87036 Rende (Cosenza), Italy, within of the Research Project PON03_00024_1 – ALFor Lab “Laboratorio Pubblico-Privato per le Tecnologie Innovative ad Elevata Sostenibilità Ambientale nella Filiera Foresta-Legno-Energie-Ambi. Tec. Fil. Legno”

Main activities: Geomorphological analysis, soil analysis, soil spectroscopy analysis, digital soil mapping, analysis of soil carbon stock; storage and management of geo-environmental data in a GIS environment.

– From 01/12/2011 to 30/11/2017: Research fellow at the CNR-ISAFOM, Via Cavour 4/6, 87036 Rende (Cosenza), Italy

Main activities: Geomorphological analysis, soil analysis, soil spectroscopy analysis, digital soil mapping, analysis of soil carbon stock; storage and management of geo-environmental data in a GIS environment, gully erosion and landslide susceptibility, analysis.

– From 04/08/2014 to 03/11/2014: Term Contract worker at the University of Calabria, within of the Research Project PON01-01503, LANDSLIDES EARLY WARNING “Sistemi integrati per il monitoraggio e la mitigazione del rischio idrogeologico lungo le grandi vie di comunicazione”

Main activities: Morphometric analysis at basin and slope scale by using GIS tools.

– From 02/01/2013 to 01/06/2013: Term Contract worker at the University of Calabria, within of the Research Project PON01-01503, LANDSLIDES EARLY WARNING “Sistemi integrati per il monitoraggio e la mitigazione del rischio idrogeologico lungo le grandi vie di comunicazione”

Main activities: Mapping of landslides, landslide susceptibility analysis.

– From 17/07/2012 to 17/12/2012: Term Contract worker at the University of Calabria, within of the Research Project PON01-01503, LANDSLIDES EARLY WARNING “Sistemi integrati per il monitoraggio e la mitigazione del rischio idrogeologico lungo le grandi vie di comunicazione”

Main activities: Geomorphological survey, geomorphological mapping, implementation of geo-database.

– From 01/07/2012 to 30/06/2015: Scientific collaboration in the Research Project CISIA-Conoscenze Integrate per la Sostenibilità e l’innovazione del made in Italy agroalimentare, finanziato dalla Legge N. 191/2009, Nell’ambito dell’Obbiettivo Realizzativo 4 (O.R. 4) “Innovazioni per migliorare la sostenibilità della produzione alimentare.

Main activities: Pedological survey; laboratory analysis of soils, Vis-NIR laboratory spectrometry analysis of soils.

– From 01/09/2011 to 30/11/2011: Research fellow at the CNR-Institute of Methodologies for Environmental Analysis (CNR-IMAA), C.da S. Loja, 85050 Tito Scalo, Potenza, Italy.

Main activities: Mapping of landslides, landslide susceptibility analysis.

– From 04/07/2011 to 04/10/2011: Term Contract worker at Department of Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, Italy.

Main activities: Morphometric analysis of the Hydrographic basin and alluvial fan.

– From 10/12/2010 to 21/02/2011: Term Contract worker at the Department of Soil Defense, University of Calabria, for the “Geomorphologic survey of the Gimigliano area (Central Calabria, Italy)”.

– From 01/03/2010 to 30/06/2010: Term Contract worker at the Department of Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, for the “Geologic and geomorphologic survey in the Mercaudo drainage basin (Northern Calabria)” as a contribution to the research project “POR Calabria 2000-2006” titled: Alluvial fan hazard.

– From 03/11/2009 to 30/11/2009: Term Contract worker at the Department of Soil Defense, University of the Calabria, for the “Hydrogeological hazards analysis in some Calabria areas”.

– From 01/07/2009 to 30/11/2009: Term Contract worker at the Department of Sciences and Technologies for the Environment and Territory, University of Molise, Pesche, Italy, for the “Geoinformatica elaboration of the aerial photogrammetric and spectroradiometric data for the assessment soil erosion rate and related soil degradation state” as a contribution to the research project “PRIN 2007” titled: Development of an integrated model for a preventive assessment of soil degradation processes in Mediterranean environment.

-From 1/07/2005 to 30/11/ 2005 Term Contract worker at the Department of Earth Sciences, University of Calabria for the “Geomorphological and landslide maps, at 1:25000 scale, of the Cosenza and Crotone Provinces”, as a contribution to the research project “PON SIT CALABRIA”.

TEACHING ACTIVITIES

– In the academic year 2018-2019 he has hold a Course of Thematic Cartography, for the Degree in Geological Sciences at the University of Calabria, Italy.

– In the academic year 2017-2018 he has hold a Course of Geomatics, for the Degree in Geological Sciences at the University of Calabria, Italy.

– In the academic year 2015-2016 he has supervised practice activities of the Course of Landslides and dynamic slopes, for the Degree in Geological Sciences at the University of Calabria, Italy.

– In the academic year 2010-2011 he has hold a Course of GeoInformatica, for the Degree in Informatica at the University of Molise, Italy.

– In the academic year 2009-2010 he has supervised practice activities of the Course of Geomorphological and Quaternary survey, for the Degree in Geological Sciences at the University of Calabria, Italy.

EDITORIAL ACTIVITY

-Topical Advisory Panel Members of Remote Sensing (MDPI).

–Scientific Editor of Journal of Mountain Science  (Springer  http://jms.imde.ac.cn).

-Guest Editor of Remote Sensing (MDPI) for the Special Issue “Remote Sensing for Landslide Investigations: Mapping, Monitoring and Forecasting”.

-Reviewer for several ISI scientific journals (Geomorphology, Catena, Engineering Geology, Geomatics, Natural Hazards and Risk, Environmental Earth Sciences, Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment, Remote Sensing, and  among others).

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

– October 2018: National scientific qualification for Associate Professor in Agricultural chemistry, agricultural genetics and pedology.

– September 2018: National scientific qualification for Associate Professor in Applied geology, physical geography and geomorphology.

-From 2005 to 2008: PhD degree in Earth Sciences at the University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy. PhD dissertation thesis title: Geomorphopedological study of erosive processes in the Turbolo river catchment (Northern Calabria) with the contribution of reflectance spectrometry.

-July 2004: Qualification for professional practice in Engineering Geology, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy.

– From March 2004 to February 2005: Scholarship for a Master in Environment Management, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy, Dissertation on: Geomorphological study to characterize and map mass movements in the Vitravo river catchment (North-Eastern Calabria).

– In the academic year 2002-2003: Graduated in Geological Sciences, University of Calabria, Cosenza, Italy.  Dissertation thesis title: Geomorphology and landsliding of the area between San Benedetto Ullano and Cerzeto (CS).